Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Introduction

Chongyun is a 4-star Cryo character in Genshin Impact who excels as an off-field support with low field time and energy costs. His unique Cryo infusion converts melee attacks into Cryo damage, enabling powerful Melt and Freeze team compositions. His Elemental Skill deals AoE Cryo damage and enhances Normal Attack speed, making him a strong enabler for teams that rely on Cryo reactions. His Elemental Burst provides additional Cryo AoE damage at a low cost, functioning as both a Burst support and Cryo reaction enabler.

Since his Burst is considered Claymore damage, it is also effective for breaking Geo shields. While Chongyun can be built as a main DPS, he is generally more effective as a support due to his infusion mechanics and Cryo application. His versatility allows him to fit into various team compositions, making him a valuable option for players looking to optimize their Cryo-based teams. This guide will cover his abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and the best builds to maximize his effectiveness.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Strengths and Weaknesses

Chongyun is a versatile Cryo support with unique strengths but also notable limitations that players should consider when building a team around him. His Cryo infusion, granted by his Elemental Skill, allows melee characters to consistently deal Cryo damage, enabling powerful Melt and Freeze team compositions. He has a low energy cost, allowing frequent use of his Elemental Burst without requiring excessive Energy Recharge. His low cooldowns provide consistent Cryo application, and his A4 passive further enhances Cryo damage by reducing enemy Cryo resistance.

However, Chongyun has drawbacks, including limited team compatibility, as his Cryo infusion can disrupt physical DPS characters by converting their damage type. While he can be built as a main DPS, his personal damage is lower compared to other Cryo units unless heavily invested in. His C6 significantly boosts his Burst damage, but without it, his raw damage output remains moderate. Despite these limitations, Chongyun excels in Cryo-reliant teams, particularly when supporting melee allies who benefit from Cryo infusion. Understanding his mechanics is key to optimizing his role and ensuring he contributes effectively to a team’s overall damage output.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Talents

Chongyun’s talents define his role as a Cryo support and sub-DPS, focusing on Cryo application and burst damage. His Normal Attack: Demonbane is a standard claymore attack sequence, but its low multipliers and slow animations make it a lower priority unless he is built as a Shatter DPS. His Elemental Skill: Spirit Blade – Chonghua’s Layered Frost creates a Cryo-infused field that converts melee attacks into Cryo damage for 12.5 seconds at level 6 and boosts melee Normal Attack Speed.

This ability is essential for enabling Cryo-based reactions and Freeze/Melt team compositions. His Elemental Burst: Spirit Blade – Cloud-Parting Star summons three giant Cryo-infused spirit blades that deal AoE Cryo damage, with a fourth blade unlocked at C6. It has a low 40 energy cost, allowing frequent use, and its hits count as Claymore damage, making it effective against Geo shields. His A1 passive, Steady Breathing, increases melee Normal Attack Speed within his Skill’s field, though its impact is minor due to the game’s attack speed scaling.

His A4 passive, Rimechaser Blade, summons an additional Cryo blade after his Skill ends, dealing extra AoE Cryo damage and applying a 10% Cryo RES shred for 8 seconds, enhancing team damage output. His Utility Passive, Gallant Journey, reduces expedition time in Liyue by 25%. For talent priority, Sub-DPS/Support builds should focus on Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill, while Main DPS builds prioritize Normal Attack > Burst = Skill. Chongyun’s talents are best suited for Cryo-centric teams, enabling consistent Cryo application and burst damage.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Constellations

Chongyun’s constellations enhance his support capabilities and damage potential, making him more versatile. While he is functional at C0, certain constellations provide significant improvements. C1: Ice Unleashed causes the final hit of his Normal Attack combo to release three Cryo-infused blades, each dealing 50% of his ATK as Cryo DMG. However, since Chongyun is rarely played as a Normal Attack DPS, this constellation offers minimal value.

C2: Atmospheric Revolution reduces the cooldown of Elemental Skills and Bursts by 15% for characters within his Cryo infusion field. This is a rare and powerful effect, making it one of his best constellations, as it allows faster team rotations and increases overall DPS, benefiting cooldown-reliant characters like Bennett. C3: Cloudburst increases his Elemental Burst level by three, providing a 17.6% increase in Burst damage, which is useful but not game-changing unless combined with his C6.

C4: Frozen Skies regenerates 1 Energy every 2 seconds when attacking Cryo-affected enemies, but since Chongyun is mostly off-field, this provides little value. C5: The True Path increases his Elemental Skill level by three, enhancing its damage slightly but not affecting Cryo infusion duration. C6: Rally of Four Blades adds an extra spirit blade to his Elemental Burst and increases its damage by 15% against lower HP enemies, resulting in a 44% total Burst damage increase.

This makes him a much stronger Burst DPS option. In summary, C2 is the most valuable for support capabilities, while C6 significantly boosts Chongyun’s Burst damage. His other constellations have minor benefits but do not drastically change his effectiveness.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Playstyles

Chongyun is a flexible character who can function as a Cryo reaction enabler, Burst support, or main DPS, depending on his build and team composition. His Elemental Skill provides a unique Cryo infusion for melee characters, making him an excellent enabler for Melt, Freeze, and Shatter teams. As a Cryo reaction enabler, he facilitates Freeze teams when paired with Hydro applicators, ensuring continuous Cryo application for crowd control.

He can also function in Melt teams, either as a Reverse Melt enabler, applying Cryo for Pyro DPS units, or as a Forward Melt DPS, using Cryo-infused Normal Attacks to trigger Melts. This role requires minimal investment, with a Talent priority of Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill. As a Burst support, Chongyun’s low-cost Elemental Burst deals significant AoE Cryo damage, making him effective in quick-swap teams where he applies Cryo and rotates out. His C2 reduces team-wide cooldowns, improving overall DPS. He also synergizes well with 4-piece Noblesse Oblige, boosting his team’s ATK.

In this role, Talent priority remains Elemental Burst > Elemental Skill, with little emphasis on Normal Attacks. As a main DPS, Chongyun relies on Cryo-infused Normal Attacks and Shatter mechanics, benefiting from ATK%, Crit stats, and Elemental Mastery. His C6 greatly enhances his Burst, making him more viable in this role, though heavy investment is required. Talent priority for a main DPS is Normal Attack > Elemental Burst = Elemental Skill. While he excels as a Cryo enabler and Burst support, he can also function as a DPS for those who enjoy his playstyle. His versatility makes him adaptable to many team compositions, providing value in various roles.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Artifacts

Chongyun Upgrade Materials

Chongyun benefits from several artifact sets depending on his role, with options that enhance either his personal damage or team utility. 4-Piece Noblesse Oblige is a strong choice for a support build, boosting his Elemental Burst DMG while providing a team-wide ATK buff. This set is ideal when no other team member is using it. 4-Piece Emblem of Severed Fate maximizes his Elemental Burst damage by converting Energy Recharge into additional Burst DMG, making it excellent for a sub-DPS playstyle.

4-Piece Blizzard Strayer is a strong pick for a main DPS Chongyun in Freeze and Shatter teams, offering increased Cryo DMG and Crit Rate when attacking frozen enemies. 4-Piece Gilded Dreams works well in Melt teams, providing Elemental Mastery for stronger reactions along with ATK% bonuses based on the team’s elemental composition. If a full 4-piece set is unavailable, 2-piece combinations such as Blizzard Strayer + Noblesse Oblige or Emblem of Severed Fate + Noblesse Oblige provide balanced Cryo, Burst, or Energy bonuses. For main stats, Cryo DMG Goblet is optimal, while Sands should be ATK%, Energy Recharge, or Elemental Mastery, depending on playstyle.

Crit Rate or Crit DMG Circlet should be chosen based on substat balance, with Blizzard Strayer users prioritizing Crit DMG. Substats should focus on Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge, and Elemental Mastery for reaction-based teams. When using Sacrificial Greatsword, Energy Recharge requirements are lower, allowing more investment into offensive stats. Overall, prioritizing the right artifact set and stats will optimize Chongyun for support, sub-DPS, or main DPS roles, ensuring strong performance in various team compositions.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Weapons

Chongyun benefits from a variety of Claymores, each offering unique advantages depending on his role in the team. Wolf’s Gravestone is a top-tier choice due to its high base ATK and ATK% passive, making it a strong weapon for boosting both Chongyun’s personal damage and team-wide ATK. Beacon of the Reed Sea provides a CRIT Rate substat and ATK% bonus, making it one of the best for his personal damage output. Redhorn Stonethresher, with its high CRIT DMG bonus, is particularly strong for Shatter or Freeze teams, where Chongyun acts as the main DPS.

Skyward Pride offers Energy Recharge and high base ATK, making it viable for Burst uptime, though other options may be preferred. The Unforged grants a large ATK boost, which can be beneficial, while Song of Broken Pines, despite its Physical DMG bonus, has a very high base ATK, making it usable as a stat stick.

Among 4-star options, Sacrificial Greatsword is one of the best choices for support or sub-DPS builds, as its Energy Recharge substat and passive allow Chongyun to use his Elemental Skill twice, improving Cryo application and energy particle generation. Serpent Spine, with its high CRIT Rate substat and increasing DMG bonus, is ideal for DPS Chongyun, particularly at higher refinements. Lithic Blade is useful in Liyue-heavy teams, as it provides ATK% and CRIT Rate based on the number of Liyue characters.

Akuoumaru boosts Elemental Burst DMG based on the total energy cost of the team, making it a great pick for teams with high-cost bursts. Favonius Greatsword helps with energy generation, making it useful in energy-hungry teams but requires a decent CRIT Rate to activate its passive. Luxurious Sea-Lord, if available, boosts Burst DMG and provides ATK%, functioning similarly to Akuoumaru in high-energy-cost teams. Mailed Flower is a good free-to-play option for Melt teams, enhancing Elemental Mastery and ATK%. Blackcliff Slasher can be purchased with Starglitter and provides CRIT DMG, though its passive requires defeating enemies for full effectiveness.

For free-to-play options, Prototype Archaic is the most accessible permanent craftable Claymore, offering ATK% and a passive that deals extra AoE damage, making it a solid choice for both DPS and support builds. Rainslasher is a niche pick for Freeze/Shatter teams, as its Elemental Mastery substat and passive increase damage against enemies affected by Hydro or Electro. Bloodtainted Greatsword, while a low-rarity weapon, provides Elemental Mastery, making it an option if Chongyun is triggering Melt reactions.

When choosing a weapon, support Chongyun benefits most from Energy Recharge weapons like Sacrificial Greatsword or team buffs like Wolf’s Gravestone. Sub-DPS Chongyun performs well with CRIT-based, ATK%, or Elemental Mastery weapons, such as Serpent Spine, Akuoumaru, or Lithic Blade. Main DPS Chongyun excels with high Crit or ATK weapons like Serpent Spine, Redhorn Stonethresher, or Wolf’s Gravestone. If using Blizzard Strayer, weapons with CRIT DMG are preferable due to the high Crit Rate bonus from the set. Sacrificial Greatsword significantly reduces energy requirements, enabling more flexible rotations.

Serpent Spine at high refinements becomes one of the best 4-star choices. Team composition plays a role in weapon selection, as some weapons—such as Lithic Blade—perform best in Liyue teams. Proper weapon selection enhances Chongyun’s efficiency in various team compositions, ensuring he contributes effectively to Cryo application, Elemental Reactions, and Burst damage.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: How to Play Chongyun

Chongyun is a versatile Cryo character who can serve as a support, sub-DPS, or, with investment, a main DPS. His Elemental Skill creates a Cryo-infused field that converts normal attacks of Sword, Claymore, and Polearm characters into Cryo DMG, making him a unique enabler for Freeze, Melt, and Shatter teams. His Elemental Burst delivers a powerful Cryo AoE attack that can launch enemies, trigger reactions, and break shields effectively. With a low 40 Energy cost, his Burst can be used frequently, especially with enough Energy Recharge or the Sacrificial Greatsword.

As an off-field support, Chongyun excels in quick-swap teams by using his Skill and Burst before switching out. His Cryo infusion allows melee DPS units to trigger Cryo-related reactions while benefiting from Cryo DMG buffs. This makes him highly effective in Freeze teams with Hydro characters like Xingqiu or Mona and in Melt teams with Pyro DPS units like Bennett or Xiangling. His A4 passive shreds enemy Cryo resistance by 10%, increasing the team’s Cryo damage output.

For a sub-DPS role, Chongyun focuses on Burst uptime and reaction-based damage. The 4-piece Noblesse Oblige set enhances his team’s ATK after using his Burst, making him a valuable support. In Melt teams, his Cryo application allows Pyro characters to trigger powerful Melt reactions, while in Shatter teams, he works well with Hydro characters to freeze enemies and then break them for extra damage. Energy Recharge weapons like Favonius Greatsword or Sacrificial Greatsword help ensure his Burst is always available.

As a main DPS, Chongyun requires specific Freeze or Shatter teams where he can continuously apply Cryo through infused normal attacks. Blizzard Strayer is the best artifact set for this playstyle, providing a huge CRIT Rate boost against frozen enemies. He pairs well with Hydro characters like Xingqiu or Kokomi to maintain Freeze and Anemo units like Kazuha or Sucrose for resistance shred. In Reverse Melt teams, Chongyun can apply Cryo first, allowing a Pyro teammate like Bennett to trigger Melt for amplified damage.

His best constellations include C2, which reduces the cooldown of skills and bursts used within his Cryo field, improving rotation speed and team DPS. C6 adds an extra blade to his Burst, boosting his overall Cryo damage output significantly. However, C4’s energy regeneration effect is less impactful due to his Burst’s low energy cost.

For team rotations, it’s best to start with his Elemental Skill to set up Cryo infusion, then use his Burst before switching to another character. If using Sacrificial Greatsword, activating his Skill twice extends Cryo infusion and generates additional energy. In Melt teams, a Pyro character should follow up immediately to trigger Melt, while in Freeze teams, Hydro abilities should be used to freeze enemies before dealing Cryo damage.

To maximize Chongyun’s potential, focus on Energy Recharge for Burst uptime, CRIT DMG and CRIT Rate for DPS builds, and ATK% for overall damage scaling. Since his normal attack multipliers are low, leveling his normal attack talent is unnecessary unless running a Shatter build. Understanding his Cryo infusion mechanics, reaction setups, and team synergies ensures Chongyun remains a valuable asset in various compositions.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Chongyun as a Main DPS

Chongyun can function as a main DPS with the right investment, focusing on Cryo-infused attacks, Shatter reactions, and Freeze team synergy. His Elemental Skill infuses melee attacks with Cryo, allowing him to trigger Freeze with Hydro allies and Shatter with Claymore attacks. While his Base Attack multipliers are lower than most Claymore users, he compensates with Cryo application, reaction damage, and AoE Burst potential. His C6 is highly recommended, significantly boosting his Burst damage by adding an extra Spirit Blade, making him more effective as a main DPS.

For artifacts, 4-piece Blizzard Strayer is the best choice in Freeze teams, offering a substantial CRIT Rate boost against frozen enemies. If Blizzard Strayer isn’t fully available, 2-piece Blizzard Strayer + 2-piece ATK% set (such as Gladiator’s Finale or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence) can work. For Melt-based builds, 4-piece Gilded Dreams provides Elemental Mastery and ATK bonuses. Artifact main stats should prioritize ATK% or Elemental Mastery (Sands), Cryo DMG Bonus (Goblet), and Crit Rate or Crit DMG (Circlet), while substats should focus on CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge, and Elemental Mastery.

For weapons, Wolf’s Gravestone is a top-tier choice, providing high ATK and a team-wide ATK buff. Serpent Spine offers strong Crit Rate and stacking DMG bonuses, while Redhorn Stonethresher enhances Crit DMG and DEF scaling, making it particularly viable in Shatter teams. Sacrificial Greatsword improves energy generation and uptime on Chongyun’s Skill, while Luxurious Sea-Lord is a strong F2P option with Burst DMG bonuses. Rainslasher can be useful in Shatter and Freeze teams due to its Elemental Mastery and increased damage against Hydro-affected enemies.

For team compositions, a Shatter team utilizes Hydro supports (Xingqiu or Yelan) for Freeze, Anemo units (Kazuha or Sucrose) for resistance shred, and additional Cryo supports (Shenhe or Rosaria) for Cryo Resonance and damage buffs. Freeze teams focus on Hydro supports (Mona, Kokomi, or Xingqiu) for Freeze uptime, while Reverse Melt teams use Pyro units (Xiangling or Bennett) to trigger Melt reactions. Reverse Melt Chongyun is not recommended, as his Cryo infusion can interfere with Pyro-based setups.

For gameplay and rotation, start with his Elemental Skill to apply Cryo infusion, then use Elemental Burst for AoE Cryo damage. Follow with normal attacks in Freeze teams or Shatter teams, ensuring enemies remain frozen before attacking. Energy Recharge is essential for frequent Burst usage, especially if not using Sacrificial Greatsword. Constellations C2 (Cooldown Reduction) and C6 (Burst Enhancement) greatly improve his DPS viability.

While Chongyun’s main DPS playstyle is niche and requires investment, he can perform well in the right teams by leveraging Cryo infusion, Freeze uptime, and Shatter mechanics. His damage potential increases significantly with proper artifacts, weapons, and teammates, making him a viable Cryo DPS option with strategic team-building.

Genshin Impact Chongyun Guide: Chongyun Mechanics

Chongyun’s mechanics revolve around his ability to apply Cryo, provide Cryo infusion, and manipulate cooldowns, making him a versatile unit in various team roles. His Elemental Skill, Spirit Blade – Chonghua’s Layered Frost, creates a Cryo-infused field that converts normal and charged attacks of Sword, Claymore, and Polearm users into Cryo damage.

This infusion lasts for the field’s duration and a short period afterward, allowing for extended Cryo application. His skill also provides an 8% Normal Attack Speed buff to affected characters, generates energy particles, and, upon expiration, summons a Rimechaser Blade that deals AoE Cryo damage and reduces Cryo resistance by 10% for 8 seconds. When paired with Sacrificial Greatsword, his skill can be reset, enabling longer Cryo uptime and more frequent Cryo RES shred application.

His Elemental Burst, Spirit Blade – Cloud-Parting Star, summons three (or four at C6) Cryo-infused blades that deal AoE Cryo damage with no internal cooldown, making it effective for consistent Cryo application. It knocks back enemies and is calculated as Claymore damage, allowing it to break Geo shields and trigger Shatter. At C6, his burst gains an extra blade and deals 15% more damage against enemies with lower HP percentages than Chongyun.

Chongyun’s normal attacks, Demonbane, consist of a four-hit Claymore sequence, with a spinning charged attack and a plunging attack that deals AoE damage. However, his normal attack multipliers are among the lowest for Claymore users, making them suboptimal unless focusing on Shatter teams. His Ascension Passives provide additional utility: Steady Breathing increases Normal Attack Speed by 8% within his skill’s Cryo field, while Rimechaser Blade triggers an extra Cryo strike after his skill expires, reinforcing his Cryo resistance shred effect.

Chongyun is particularly effective at breaking Hydro and Electro shields, making him a budget-friendly Cryo option for dealing with shielded enemies. His C2 reduces the cooldown of skills and bursts cast within his Cryo field by 15%, improving ability rotations for himself and his teammates. C6 enhances his burst’s damage based on enemy HP percentages and adds another Cryo blade, making it a significant upgrade for his overall damage potential.

By understanding and utilizing these mechanics, Chongyun can be an effective Cryo enabler, Burst DPS, or Shatter-focused Claymore user in various team compositions. His Cryo infusion, energy generation, cooldown reduction, and shield-breaking utility make him a valuable asset in both Freeze and Shatter-oriented teams.